The Best Greek Lemon Soup I Have Ever Made
This soup is so good! It’s tangy, flavorful, and loaded with veggies. You can easily make it vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth, or vegan by swapping olive oil for butter (and then omit the cheese).
What is Greek Lemon Soup
Greek lemon soup is a traditional Greek dish. It is made with chicken, lemon and yogurt. Greek lemon soup is a very easy dish to make. It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken.
This is the exact recipe for the iconic meal known as Greek lemon chicken soup, which has fed generations. It creates a substantial, thick soup that is pleasantly acidic by combining eggs, lemon, and the delectable, aromatic chicken stock. The greatest part is that it is finished off with some shredded chicken for an added touch of coziness.
In this recipe, I have used some fresh spinach for color, but you could add other ingredients like dill or mint if you like.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Dill (optional)
- Feta cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the soup:
1 cup chicken broth, vegetable broth or water. If you have time, make your own broth instead of buying a can! It will be so much more flavorful because you know exactly what went into it. And definitely use organic ingredients if possible! The quality of the meat and vegetables used in your broth will affect the flavor significantly. If you don’t want to make your own, organic canned chicken broth is fine too! You can find it in most grocery stores nowadays—just check the labels for no added sugar and no preservatives if possible.
Instructions
- Heat the broth, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the spinach, dill and salt (if using), and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes
Cooking Notes
Cooking times vary depending on the size of your lemons, your pot and chicken, and so on. So, while this recipe is good to go as-is, it can be easily adjusted for you if you want to make it work with your particular set of ingredients.
Pro Tip
Now, you may be wondering how to make this soup even better. Here are some ideas:
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to give it an extra kick.
- Add a dollop of sour cream for creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Add a dollop of yogurt and/or vanilla ice cream for creamy texture, tangy flavor, and some sweet richness.
Add-ins and Variation
- For a heartier soup, add chicken or lamb.
- For a creamier soup, add feta cheese.
- Add dill or parsley for an extra flavor boost.
- Add fresh spinach for a green soup.
- Add lemon juice for a sour soup.
- Add garlic for a spicy soup
Greek Lemon Soup is best with
Greek Lemon Soup is best with fresh, fragrant herbs. Try adding a few sprigs of fresh dill and mint to the broth before serving. It’s also delicious with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of feta cheese for garnish!
Serving the soup with fresh, crusty Greek village bread, sourdough bread, bread prepared in a bread machine, or my quick and crusty bread made with self-rising flour is the simplest way to accomplish it. I really like serving it with a flavorful Greek salad. I also enjoy serving it with a wonderful Greek salad.
Preparing in Advance and Storing
Avgolemono soup may be stored for later use if you let it cool to room temperature beforehand. Refrigerate for up to three days after transferring to airtight containers. You may freeze avgolemono soup since it is a cream-free soup. If you prepare a large batch, this is really helpful! Just make sure the soup has room to expand in the freezer-safe containers.
It must be defrosted over night in the refrigerator before being heated up on the stovetop. You can add a little water or chicken stock and cook the soup completely while stirring to prevent it from separating if it needs extra moisture.
Yum! Greek Lemon Soup is a great soup to serve on a cold night. It’s easy to make, doesn’t take long and has lots of flavor. If you enjoy this recipe then try our other soup recipes as well!